January Highlights

Swimsuit Bath upstairs in Melissa and Steve's bath (we just have a shower, and they are so nice to share when the kids want a bath).  Kinsey, Bracken, Chandra and Zedek. 

Zedek loves to come downstairs and play with us, and we love him!  He and Chandra were so proud of this magformer car they made.  

Bracken and Dallin Mitchell often work out when they get together to play.  Military moves with 22 Minute Hard Corps or P90x are their favorites. These boys are such good friends! Board games, tree climbing, wrestling, spy games, and science experiments abound when they get together.

Sometimes we go over to the church gym to let the kids run like crazy since it's so cold outside. This day Chandra and Ava put on a dance recital for me and they let Zedek join in.

Bracken made a "Queen Bed" for Kinsey and her stuffed animals.  She played in it for a long time. 

 Brian and I went snowshoeing together one Saturday. What a fun day date! It brought back memories of all the snow hikes we went on with college friends before his mission. Good old and new times!

Bracken is turning 8 in one month! We had a special evening with his cute CTR class at our Ward's baptism preview. We missed a couple of friends, but we sure love all these kids!

Caleb, Abbey, Calvin, Bracken, Lydia, and Olivia.

Baby Treyson

Caleb and Linsy's baby boy Treyson was born January 17th, and I got to meet him and take a few pictures before they left my parent's in Richfield to go back to their home in Arizona. We are so grateful for every chance we have to spend time with these guys!  Sisters and cousins are the best.

More Fruits and Veggies

Chandra loves cutting up her own fruits and vegetables and creating culinary artwork.  Then she wants me to take her picture before she can eat them. 

We did a food experiment as a family in January, eating Whole30, or mainly eating fruits, veggies, nuts, fats, eggs, and meat. (No sugar, dairy or grains.) Chandra stopped having tummy aches and Kinsey got rid of her face rash, but we're still figuring out exactly what caused them in the first place. It was a struggle for the first while but it really got our family into some healthier eating habits.  Especially eating a lot more veggies and less bread and sugar.  We found lots of new favorite foods, like Swai fish, vegetable-loaded chicken curry, fruity herbal teas and riced sweet potatoes. We discovered sunflower seeds are better than croutons, and the kids inhale salad at a crazy new rate.  I'm glad they also help me chop it up. 

One morning they made breakfast in bed for Daddy. Veggie eggs, grapefruit, strawberries and carrot sticks made into a veggie man. I thought it was pretty cute. 

Dancing with Daddy

Chandra and Daddy. Night time dancing started out with Brian and me, but the kids quickly cut in.